THREE

Chapter 10: The Foreign Future

I really hope that I can find the last table so I can just get back to my normal life, thought Emmet as he traveled through the space time continuum and into the future.  But, then he realized that no matter what, his life would never be the same after this experience.  His wife was dead, his son was stuck in some mysterious war, and Emmet himself had become a very different person.  (Whether he changed for the better or for the worst, Emmet could not tell yet.)

You never had it in you.  You’re just as ridiculous as your father.

Emmet’s thoughts started to race in his head.  It was as if there was another being inside of him.  For once in a very long time, time seemed to stand still.

Why couldn’t you just accept the fact that you are a lawyer, and nothing will change that?  If you hadn’t been so mindlessly curious about that tablet of yours, none of this would have happened.

Too many thoughts at the same time.  Emmet just wanted them to go away.  His head felt bloated with overwhelming emotions.  Anger, sadness, loneliness, fear…

Why have you forgotten about me?  When I needed you most, you abandoned me!  All you cared about was yourself. 

Emmet’s eyes were shut tightly, and he didn’t even care about where, or possibly when, he was.  Sweat rolled down his body, tears rolled down his cheek, and he felt as if the world was pushing down on him, trying to make him fall down.

We know you better than anyone else, Emmet.  Maybe you don’t even realize who we are.

Emmet opened his eyes to the sight of nothing.  He looked all around, noticing that there was nothing in front of him, nothing behind him, and nothing to the sides of him.  It was as if he was in a huge building of white, albeit furniture.

“Is...anyone…there?” said Emmet, with obvious trepidation in his soft voice.  “Am I in the future?”

All he could hear were the thoughts in his head.

This isn’t how things were supposed to happen, Emmet.  You were to do great things.  All you had to do was forget about the tablet!  Then, none of this would have happened.

Exactly.  If you had stayed with your family at a time when they needed you most, life would have been a lot easier.

Wouldn’t it be nice to if you could just make it so this nonsensical experience had never happened?

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” screamed Emmet, writhing with pain on the floor.

We’re not in your head, Emmet.  We are everywhere.  We are you.  You are us.  But, we know you better than you know yourself. 

“STOP! PLEASE….I…I..CAN’T…HANDLE…THIS…”

You can’t handle your own thoughts?

“These….aren’t…my thoughts.  I can’t control these thoughts.  Am I going insane?”

Emmet looked at his shadow, noticing that it was getting larger and larger.  Then, he looked at himself, realizing that he was glowing.  “What is going on?” Emmet said out loud.

You apparently can’t handle your true potential power.  We’re taking you back home.

“My…potential power?”

Suddenly, the white room became piercingly bright.  Emmet was blinded, and shut his eyes again.  He started to hear strange sounds similar to the sounds of the time machine, but these sounds were stronger and louder.  Then, he heard the sounds of planes, automobiles, computers…random sounds of technology, all shooting in Emmet’s ears at the same time.  He never wanted to open his eyes.